Maintaining Your Classroom Library. I don't think there's a right or a wrong way to organize a classroom library -- it's just a matter of finding out what works for you, your students, and your curriculum.
What is probably the most challenging part of having a classroom library, though, is maintaining it. Whether you arrange your classroom library by reading level, genre, series, author, or another method, there still remains the question of maintaining that organization. As a teacher, you are a pulled in so many different directions all day long, so I feel that it is important to pick a classroom library management system that is quick and easy.
I have a few different options for you today that fit both above-mentioned criteria: Now I'll explain a little bit about each one: Booksource's Classroom Organizer. {Soap Box Organizers} We are toy-organizing crazy around here, with bins, tubs, boxes, labels...you name it.
Organizing simply makes me swoooooooon! All is right with my world when things are organized. There are always a few things though that don't seem to fit into the places you want them to go for one reason or another. Enter: the Plastic Travel Soap Dish Walmart, $1 store, etc....CHEAP. I got interested in soap boxes many years ago when I was a Kindergarten teacher. . (16 crayons...and more will fit if you like.) As a Mommy, you also know that crayons can be an essential part of waiting rooms, grocery stores, or the BMV. :) I've made a Crayon Roll-Up to suit those needs for my own kiddo, but if I had 4 kids I'm not sure that would be time or cost-effective. So what I've discovered is that soap boxes are COOL! Our #1 use for a travel soap box at home is for playing cards: You know how the box never stays together for very long?
Getting Organized. Organization Tips from Mrs.
McDavid I have had many teachers stop by my room to ask how I keep things so well organized. I have had other teachers to ask if I would consider teaching a staff development course at our school to help teachers become better organized. Truly it's the small details that make the biggest impact. Organizing the classroom takes time, dedication, and determination but once things are put together the classroom will run smoothly. Materials You Will Need ~ Back to the Top ~ Purge Unused Materials and Non Essential ItemsAs teachers we tend to hoard materials and supplies that we think might come in handy one day.
Teacher Binder. Update: I gave in and bought a cutesy calendar for this next school year!
Note to self-stay away from Target :) Here is one of the ideas incorporated into my year so far, a teacher organization binder. I carry it with me to all my meetings, holds all my grades, calendars and student information. I might add more to it later but this is what I remember needing most. Enjoy and please let me know if you think of something to add to it :) Inside of binder. Become an Organized Teacher with 3 Simple Binders. With every new year comes new goals and resolutions.
Last summer, I decided my new school year goal would be to tackle the piles and piles of paperwork that are always overtaking my desk. Admittedly, I am a naturally messy person. The paraprofessionals in my classroom (who I cannot live without) have learned this and do not attempt to go behind my desk as they know they may get lost in my piles. When we rang in 2012 (ok, I was asleep…) I knew that I would really need to focus on getting my classroom organized so that I when it comes time for me to go out on maternity leave in March, someone else can take over without too much confusion. Being a special education teacher requires an extra level of organization due to all of the IEP paperwork. Since my reorganization effort, I have begun to use binders to manage all of the important documents that I need be easily accessible while I’m teaching and readily available for meetings. October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Mindfulness for Teachers. The Teacher Organizer: Classroom Set-up 101: "Classroom Stuff"
Blank walls, blank floors, blank counters, blank boards, blank brain...
That about sums up the scheme of things when I return to my classroom after a long summer away. The first moments back in my room devoid of decor, ideas, supplies, when anything is possible and nothing is done, can be overwhelming! Even with 43 plus classroom set-ups under my belt it takes a few moments for me to settle into work mode and get things going. When finally get down to business, I start by compartmentalize my set-up duties into three major groups... classroom stuff, teacher stuff, and student stuff. Please excuse the over use of "stuff", but in the intensity of setting up a classroom it is all "stuff" intermingled in my thoughts which tend to easily jump from this "To Do list to that "To Do" list and back again! Okay...